The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-07-08
SOME OTHER TIME.
PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES
Will Not 90 10 the Grand Army OF tho Rc.
Z public Meeting at st. Louts-ife Gives
Worry Cogent Reasons for Romaining
III Awny-How tho Citizsns Fool,

ST.. Louis. July 1.-THE following letter,
addressed to tho Mayor Of this atty, who is
the Chairman OF tho Committee Of Repre-.
sentative Citizens Of St. Louis, who yer.
bally invited the President to visit this
city during the holding Of the Encamp.
ment Of the Grand Army Of the Republic,
next September, was mado public hors TO.
day, and explains itself without further
comment: s18 VI. I
,ftGFT w EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
jS7 WASHINGTON, July 4, 1887. J fn
Hon. David Il. Francis, Mayor and Chair.
man: N II ', z,',E ~
MY DEAR Sir: When received the ex.
tremely cordial and gratifying invitation
from the citizens OF ST. Louis. tendered by
a number Of her representative mon, to
visit that city during the National En-.
campmentof tho Grand Army Of the Re-
public, ! had been contemplating for some
time the acceptance Of an invitation from
that organization to the same effect. and
had considered the pleasure 1t would al.
ford mo II 1t should be possible, 10 meet
not only members Of the Grand Army,
but the people Of St. Louis aud other
cities in. the West, which tho occasion
would give mo au opportunity to visit.
The trausactions Of my public duties I
felt to be uncertain, however, that, whom
drat confronted by the delegation OF which
you are the head, expected to do more
at that time than TO promise the consider
alton OF the double invitation rendered
me, and express tho pleasure 1t would
give me TO accept the same hereafter II
possible. But the cordiality and sincerity
Of your presentation, reinforced by the
heaItiness Of the people who surround
you, so impressed me that l could not re-.
sist the feeling which prompted me to. as.
auro you on the spot that l would be with
you and tho Grand Army Of the Republic
at the time DESIGNATED, If nothing happen
ed In the meantime to absolutely prevent
my leaving Washington.
y l}.-j Z AN uNwELcoME GUEST. .tE
Immediately upon the public announce:
ment OF this conclusion, expressions em-
anating from certain important members
Of the Grand Army Of the Republic, and
increasing in volume and virulence, con-
strained me to review my acceptance OF
these invitations. The expressions re-
ierred to go to the extent OF declaring that
/ would be an unwelcome guest at the
time aud placs Of the National Encamp.
ment. This statement is baaed, as we'll ~
I can judge, upon certain official acts OF
mine, involving important public inter-
ess, done under the rastralnts aud obli:
cations uf my oath OF oilics, which did
not appear to accord with tho wishes OF
some members OF the G. A. r. ~,
I refaEa TO believe that this orsauiza-
ton, founded upon patriotic ideas, com.
posed very largely Of men entitled to last
ing honor and confederation, and whoss
crowning glory it should be that they are
American citizsrB aa we'll as. veteran SOL
diers, deems 1t part Of its mission to
ccmpaBs any objact or purpose by at.
tempting to intimidate the executive or
coerce thoae charged with making and
executing the laws. And-Yet the ex.
precision to which have refsrrad indicsts
such prevalence OF unlriendly fesling
and such O menace to an occasion
which ahould bs harmonioua, peaceful
and cordial, that they cannot be igaored.'
l beg you to understand that am not
conscious oi any act Of mino which should
make me fear to meet the Grand Army of
tho Republic, or nny other assehbtage of
my fellow-citizens. The account OF my
official stewasdahip is always ready for
presentation to my countrymen. I should
not be frank il failed to c3aiess, while
disclaiming oil recruitment, thai / have
been hurt by the unworthy and ganton
attacks upon ne growing out OF this mat.
ter: and the 1ecklees u,anner in which my
actions and motives have been niarep.e-
ssnted both publicly and privs.e!y, for
which, however, the Grand Army, III the
Republic, as abody, is by no. means rcspon-
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